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Pacman KOs Diaz, gets 5th title

July 7, 2008

Manny Pacquiao lands a jab at Diaz's chin before knocking him out in the ninth round.Pacman KOs Diaz, gets 5th title
LAS VEGAS, Nevada = Philippine boxing star Manuel “Manny” Pacquiao won his fifth world title in as many weight classes after he knocked out Chicago’s David Diaz in the ninth round June 28 at the Mandalay casino here, giving him the WBC lightweight championship.
Pacquiao, 29, holds the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight and now the lightweight title. This opens the way for a super fight between the seemingly indestructible world No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter against Manchurian Ricky Hatton, the world’s No. 1 light welterweight fighter.
In the Philippines, time stood still as millions of Filipinos, including rebels fighting the government, watched Pacquiao make mincemeat of the lightweight champion Diaz.
“We will defend the WBC lightweight title later this year,” said
promoter Bob Arum. “There is a possibility we could fight Ricky Hatton
next year. That remains to be seen.”
It has the potential to be one of the biggest pay-per-view fights in
history, and, moreover, the two men have styles which would make for a
spectacle.
On this evidence, Pacquiao, looking strong at the weight, and powerful,
could step up to light-welterweight, 140lbs, to face Hatton.
Asked if he would like to fight Hatton, Pacquiao said he would fight anyone his promoter Bob Arum put in front of him.
The folk hero in his home, the Philippines, who never takes a backward
step, comprehensively outfought Diaz to move to 47 wins, 3 losses, and
two draws.

The 32-year-old Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs) was making the second defense of
his title after winning a unanimous decision over Morales last August, a
verdict which sent the Mexican star into retirement.
Pacquiao was attacking from the off, cutting Diaz above his right eye,
and breaking the bridge of his opponent’s nose.
The ferocity of Pacquiao’s attacks were unrelenting, and as Diaz began
to wear the fists of Pacquiao too often, he caught the Mexican American
in the ninth round with a left jab which caught Diaz on the chin and
sent him to the canvas.
“I am happy for the win.” Pacquiao said. “I feel great at this weight. I
feel stronger at 135 pounds than at 130. He did hurt me one time during
the fight. David Diaz is a very strong fighter.”
Diaz responded that he expected Pacquiao to be ferocious, but had been
’surprised by his power’.
It appears that Pacquiao can step up to challenge for a sixth divisional
world title.
Hatton must now beat Paulie Malignaggi in the United States in the
Autumn, and claim the International Boxing Federation title. Then it
could be game on.

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